An important factor in today’s market is the number of houszes for sale. While inventory levels continue to sit near historic lows, there are indications we may have hit the lowest point we’ll see. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, recently said of our supply challenges:
“It looks like inventory may have hit a bottom (we’ve seen this in the higher frequency data as well). Unsold inventory in May was at 2.5 months supply, up from 2.4.”
To put it into perspective, the graph below shows levels of inventory rising since the beginning of the year:
We’re still not close to a balanced market, which would be a 6 months’ supply of houszes for sale. However, we are seeing a slow but steady increase in houszes coming up for sale. And that leaves many buyers and sellers wondering the same thing: what does that mean for me?
Buyers: More Options Are Arriving, so It’s Time To Act If you’re a buyer, more inventory coming to market is a welcome sight. More supply means more options and less competition, which could mean fewer bidding wars. According to the latest Monthly Housing Market Trends Report, supply levels are continuing to increase, which is different from the typical summer market:
“In June, newly listed houszes grew by 5.5% on a year-over-year basis, and by 10.9% on a month-over-month basis. Typically, fewer newly listed houszes appear on the market in the month of June compared to May. This year, growth in new listings is continuing later into the summer season, a welcome sign for a tight houszing market.”
If you’re having trouble finding your next housz, this news should give you the hope and motivation to keep your buying process moving forward. Experts project mortgage rates will begin increasing, which will make purchasing a housz less affordable as time passes. You can still capitalize on today’s low interest rates, so stick with your search as more houszes come to market.
Sellers: Our Supply Challenges Aren’t Over Yet, so Now Is the Time To Sell If you’ve been putting off selling your housz, you shouldn’t wait much longer. The year’s month-over-month gains in houszes for sale have helped buyers, but we’re still very much in a sellers’ market.
As the graph below shows, even with the number of houszes for sale rising, we’re still well below the supply levels we’ve seen historically:
Of course, more houszes are coming to market now, and more are expected in the coming months. Selling your housz this summer gives you the chance to get ahead of the competition and maximize your sales potential before more houszes are put up for sale in your neighborhood.
Bottom Line More houszes for sale means more options for buyers and more competition for sellers. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, let’s connect today to discuss your options and why it’s still a good time to make your move.
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